Here there stands a man
Whose moonbeam glances flood the soul with peace,
And everything about him proves him King.
Thou canst protect me, Sire, and oh, thou wilt!
I _will_ not die, I _will_ not, no, no, no!

[_She throws herself on the ground before the_ KING _and seizes his
right foot, bending her head to the ground._]

KING (_to several who approach_).

Let be! Her senses have ta'en flight through fear,
And as she shudders, makes me tremble, too.

RACHEL (_sits up_).

And everything I have,

(_taking off her bracelet_)

this bracelet here,
This necklace and this costly piece of cloth,

(_taking a shawl-like cloth from her neck_)

It cost my father well-nigh forty pounds,
Real Indian stuff, I'll give that too--if you
Will leave me but my life: I will not die!

[_She sinks back to her former position._]

_ISAAC and ESTHER are led in._

KING. What crime has he committed?

MANRIQUE. Sire, thou know'st,
The entrance to the royal gardens is
Denied this people when the court is here.

KING. And I permit it, if it is forbidden.

ESTHER. He is no spy, O Sire, a merchant he,
In Hebrew are the letters that he bears,
Not in the Moorish tongue, not Arabic.

KING. 'Tis well, I doubt it not.

(_Pointing to_ RACHEL.)
And she?

ESTHER. My sister!

KING. Take her and carry her away.

RACHEL (_as_ ESTHER _approaches her_).

No, no!
They're seizing me, they're leading me away
To kill me!

(_Pointing to her discarded finery._)

See, my ransom. Here will I
Remain a while and take a little sleep.

(_Laying her cheek against the_ KING's _knee._)

Here safety is; and here 'tis good to rest.

QUEEN. Will you not go?

KING. You see that I am caught.

QUEEN. If you are caught, I still am free, I go!

[_Exit with her women._]

KING. And now that, too! That which they would prevent
They bring to pass with their false chastity.

(_Sternly to_ RACHEL.)

Arise, I tell